Whether you're hosting a Super Bowl party or a Chinese new year's party, you don't want to be spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Here are Chinese and Asian appetizers with tips on how to do most of the work of ahead of time.
1. Potstickers
These tasty dumplings are easy to make and don't require a wok! In this recipe the potstickers are filled with seasoned ground pork. Potstickers can be prepared up to the cooking stage and then frozen - here are easy instructions showing how to freeze potstickers.
Perfect Potstickers - learn more about these popular Chinese dumplings.
2. Potsticker Dipping Sauce
Potstickers taste great on their own, but a dipping sauce adds a little something extra. Making the dip ahead of time gives the flavors a chance to blend. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator and use within 3 to 4 days.3. Firecracker Shrimp
This easy recipe for Firecracker Shrimp can be prepared a day ahead of time (up to the cooking stage) and then deep-fried just after your guests arrive. It includes a simple dipping sauce.
4. Egg Rolls
Egg rolls are popular with just about everyone! Egg rolls can be prepared ahead of time and frozen (both cooked and uncooked). Here are easy tips showing How to Freeze Egg Rolls
5. Fried Wonton
This recipe for deep-fried wonton filled with a mixture of ground pork and Chinese vegetables and seasonings has been reader-rated at 5 out of 5 stars. You can prepare the wonton ahead of time up to the cooking stage and then refrigerate or freeze them (if you are refrigerating, prepare the wonton up to a day ahead of time). If freezing, allow the wonton to return to room temperature in the refrigerator before deep-frying.Pork and Shrimp Wonton
6. Spareribs With Hoisin Sauce
Hoisin sauce adds its own distinct flavor to this recipe reader-rated at 5 out of 5 stars. The spareribs can be prepared ahead of time and reheated until warm in a 250 F. oven (place the ribs on aluminum foil). They're also quite easy to prepare on Game Day itself: the night before, combine the spareribs with the marinade and refrigerate. When it comes time to cook, all you need to do is place the ribs in the oven.More Spareribs Recipes:
7. Crab Rangoon
This is the popular appetizer with crabmeat and cream cheese, invented by a chef at a Trader Vic's restaurant. You can make the filling for Crab Rangoon a day ahead of time and refrigerate in a sealed container until ready to use, or fill the wontons and refrigerate up to one day ahead of time before cooking. The wontons can also be prepared up to the deep-frying stage and frozen. Cook the frozen wonton according to the recipe instructions, adding a few minutes to the cooking time).
8. Bacon Water Chestnut Appetizer
An easy party appetizer - it tastes best if you use fresh water chestnuts but canned water chestnuts can be used as well. You can prepare these ahead of the time up to the cooking stage. Cover and refrigerate until ready to cook. They can also be placed in a resealable plastic bag and frozen.
